Valve-gearing for internal-combustion engines.



G, W. RICHARDSON & G. H. HIGGINS.

VALVE GEARING FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 15, I916.

1,220,274. 7 V Patented Mar. 27, 1917 4 snzirs snasr l.

G. W. RICHARDSON 84 G H. HIGGINS.

VALVE GEARING FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

APPLICATION FIL ED MAR. I5, 1916- Patented Mar. 27, 1917.

4 SHEEIS-SHEEI' 2.

n? mmJ QM vQIQ/ QM G. W. RICHARDSON & G. H. HIGGINS. VALVIE GEARING FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. I5. I916.

Patented Mar. 27, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

G. W. RICHARDSON & G. H. HIGGINS. VALVE GEAEIING FOR I-NTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 15, I lfi Patented M21227, 1917 4 SHEEI$-$HEEI" 4.

UNITED STATES r rENT OFFICE.

GEORGE W. RICHARDSON AND GEORGE (H. HIGGINS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

VALVE-GEARING ron INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES.

1 specification or mm Patented Mar. 27, 1917.

Application filed March 15, 1916. Serial No. 84,378.

To all whom it'may concern:

Be 'it known that we, Gnouon I. Bion- ARDSUN and Gnonon H. Hroorxs, both'citi zens of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Valve- Gearing for Internal-Combustion Engines, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to an arrangement of valve mechanisms, means for actuating the same, and inlet and exhaust passages to the inlet and exhaust manifolds, all of a character suitable for application to gas engines and similar internal combustion motors.

The objects of the invention are, to ar- "range two inlet valves at a distance of 180 ating two circular paths about said center,

degrees apart and diametrically opposite from a given center; to arrange two exhaust valves 180 degrees apart and diametrically opposite from the same above-mentioned center; to place the exhaust valves a different distance from the above-mentioned given center than the inlet valves, thus creone of which will embrace the inlet valves and the other the outlet valves; to provide a continuously rotating member for actuating the exhaust and intake valves, which valves, in the construction shown, are applied to a pair of cylinders; to provide two sets of cams on this member, each of which will have a separate circular path of travel during the operation of the device,- one path being coincident with the inlet valves and the other path being coincident with the exhaust valves; to configure these cams'so as to give a different timing to the exhaust than to the inlet valves; to provide means for operating this rotating member ata proper speed with respect to the speed of the crank shaft; to provide means for eliminating side thrusts from the valves and valve stems; to provide means for inletting and exhausting to inlet and exhaust manifolds arranged on the same side of the engine; to produce a simplicity and compactness of the appliance as a Whole; nd to provide flat faces on the cams which operate the valves, whereby a full open position of the valves is maintained for i a relatively substantial length of time.

And the invention further consists in the features of construction and combination of parts hereinafter described andclaimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view, partly in section,

of the mechanisms of the present invention -valves to the manifolds;

Fig. 6, a detail of the driving means from the crank shaft to the shaft which operates the cam plate; .-and

Fig. 7 a detail plan of the under side of i the cam plate and the driving pinion therefor. i

In the art to which the present invention relates, the most common practice of operating the exhaust and intake valves of internal. combustion engines is by means of elliptic cams, which strike against tappets, whereby the latter are depressed and the valves operated. The main objection to this type of valve actuating means lies in the fact that the high point of the cam passes very quickly over the tappet, thus causing the valve to close very quickly after the opening and not allowing a exhaust.

In the present invention it is intended to eliminate the elliptic cam shaft method of proper period of inlet or operating the valves and produce this operation by means of a continuously moving member positioned above the tappets, which member will employ cam surfaces arranged in'two circular paths of travel for operating the valves, thus materially reducing the operating parts and making a more accurate and smoother operating valve gearing.

The principal feature of the present in-' vention is to operate the valve stems in a manner whereby more gas is admitted to the cylinder and the exhaust gases are enabled to more freely escape during a cycle of high point thereof is rounded andvis of a relatively small area. Thus, with this operation of the engine. This is all brought I lliptical cam. the valves become wide open and immediately proceed to close, iving a relatively short period of full open position, reducing the amount of gas which can enter into the cylinder and reducing the time of exhaust. Holding the valves full open for a relatively long period produces a high etiiciencv and a consequent economy of gas as compared with the operation of the valves by the well-known ellipti al cam.

Referring now to the drawings, the device is shown as applied to a cap-piece 8 adapted to fit upon the top of the engine casing. The cap-piece which is shown is of a type adapted for use with the Xorthway motor, which has the inlet and exhaust manifolds on the same side of the engine casing. The cap-piece is secured in place by means of suitable bolts passing through bolt holes 9, as is usual. and is provided witlrfwater circulating passages U of suitable character.

llxtending upward from this cap-piece 8 are suitable standards 10, which are formed with bearings ll at their upper ends, through which bearings extends a shaft 12. Said shaft is driven, in the construction shown; by means of a sprocket 13, driven by a chain 14, which is driven by a sprocket 14, on a shaft 1+". which latter is driven by a sprocket 15, actuated by a chain 15 driven by a sprocket 15" on the crank shaft 16, or a suitable connection therefrom, although the manner of driving the shaft 12 from the crank shaft may be carried out in various ways. A slot 1b is provided for permitting adjustment of shaft 1+ to take up slack in the sprocket chains.

It will be noticed by referring to Fig. 6 that there is a reduction of approximately two to one in transmitting the speed from the crank shaft to the shaft 12. Secured to the shaft 12 is a spiral pinion 17 which meshes with a spiral gear surface on the periphery of a disk 19 (see Fig. 7). As will be seen, there is a speed reduction of a'pm'oximatcly four to one from the pinion 17 to the gear 1 and when the speed reduction of the shaft 12 is taken into consideration, it will be seen that the disk 19 is revolved at approximately an eight to one reduction from the crank shaft.

This disk 19 carries a series of cams 20 and a series of cams 21. The cams 20 are loca ed to the outside of tl.e cams 21, but in alinemcnt therewith; and. as will be seen from the drawings. the cams 20 are somewhat largcr in surface than the cams 21, each embodying a relatively broad, fiat, high portion. It will also be seen that these two cams are lvingin two different circular paths of travel when the disk 15) is rotated. The outer of the cams 2t) operate the exhaust valves, and the inner of the. cams 21 operate the intake valves. it is a well .known fact that the timing of the exhaust valves should be different than the timing of the inlet valves, in that the exhaust valves must have a longer period of operation than the inlet valves; and it is not practical to operate by the same cam both the inlet and exhaust valves, hence the provision of two distinct sets of cams for these valves, with the cams for operating the exhaust of a larger area than the cams for operating the inlet valves.

It will be obvious that as the shaft 12 is rotated by the driving connection from the crank shaft, the gear 17 will operate to revolve the disk 19, whereby the cams will be set into motion in paths of travel to operate the respective valves. It is understood that there will be one of the disks 19 used upon each set of cylinders, but detailed description of but one is all that is necessary, the sole difference in the various disks being that each is driven in an opposite direction from the one next adjacent thereto. This will be understood from Fig. 7, wherein it will be seen that the disk to the right is driven in a clockwise direction, and the disk to the left in a reverse clockwise direction. This is brought about by simply reversing the pitch of the pinions 17, and is for the purpose of eliminating side strains from the shaft 12.

The valve arrangements and passages to the inlet and exhaust manifolds are similar for each set of cylinders and detailed de- SCl'lPtlOllkQf one arrangement will be sutlicient to disclom the construction and operation of all. The valves consist of two inlet valves 22 and two exhaust valves 23. By referringto Figs. 1 and 5, it will be seen that the inlet valves are spaced apart a distance of 180 degrees and are lying equidistant from from the axial center of the stub shaft 24, upon which is mounted the plate 1!). It will also be seen that the exhaust valves 21 are arranged 180 degrees apart and are lying an equidistance from the axial center of this same shaft 24. Thus, the

inlet valves are placed within the same cirzatlar path of travel from the center of the shaft 24, and the exhaust valves are ilaced within the same circular path of trave from this same shaft, the circular path in which the exhaust valves are placed being a greater distance from the center of the shaft than the circular path in which the inlet valves are placed. The paths in which these valves are located are coincident with the path traveled by the cams 20 and 21 on the disk 19, whereby the cams 20 in their rotative movements will strike the tappets to operate the exhaust valves 23, and the cams 21 in their rotative movements will strike the tappets to operate the inlet valves 22.

Each of the valves 22 is provided with a valve stem 25 which extends through a sleeve or hearing 26 and terminates in a head 27,

which latter is engaged by a tappet 28 mounted in a sleeve bearin 29 in a frame in support 30; and surrounding the valve stem and tending to keep'the valve normally upward and in seated position, is a coil spring 231. Each of the exhaust valves is provided with a valve stem 3:2, having a i I (bearing in a sleeve 5-"); and the stem termimates in a head 34, against which 'acts a tap-pet 35, having a bearing in a sleeve 36 in the frame or support 30. A coil-spring 3T, suitably held in place, acts to keep the valve normally upvvard and in seated position. The ends of the tappets 35 and extend above the frame orsupp'ort 30 and lie in position to be contacted by the cam menr bers as the disk. 19 is revolved.

As previously stated, the i orth vay motor is constructed with the inanil'oht openings for the inlet and exhaust upon the same side of the engine, the *xhaust manifold openings being indicated by the numeral 38, and the inlet manifold openings by the numeral 39. a By referring now to Fig. 5, it will be seen that there is a passage 40 leading from one of the exhaust valves to one of the exhaust manifold openings 38, and a passage 41 leading from the other exhaust valve to the other exhaust manifold opening 38. The passages 40 and 41 are constructed by con figuring the partition to provide outer walls 4:2,with inner connecting walls 4:3. By this arrangement, a chamber 44: is provided in the center, with which the inlet valves communicate. These chambers in turn communicate with a chamber ll), through the medium of the openings 39; and this chamleer 45 is. connected with, the inlet manitold 46.

The disk 19 ismonnted on hearing rings 47, giving it a ball-bearing mounting upon a central post 48, which is held in place by a suitable lock-nut 49; and the lower end of this post is entered into a sleeve 50, which sleeve. also carries the support 30. This enables the disk to be easily removed when desircthand also gives toit an anti-trio tion mounting. A suitable casing 51 may beprovided, if desired, for housing the valve gearing mechanism.

It is thought that the operation will be clearly understood from the foregoing, and it is not'deemed necessary to describe mihutely in what manner the came 20 and 21' act to operate the exhaustand inlet valves respectively as the disk is revolved, and how,

by reason of the flat surface on the cams,

these valves are maintained/fully open for 'a-relatively long period of time. Theentire device is compact and strong of'nature and fully capable of withstanding the wear and tearof usage; The structure illustrated and described is susceptible of changes and modifications, provided it is maintained" within the scope of the appended claims.

\Ve claim 1. In a valve gearing, the combination of tvvo inlet valves arranged 180 degrees apart and equidistant from a given center, tvvo exhaust valves arranged 180 degrees apart and equidistant from said given center. with the inlet 'valves aditferent distance from said center than the exhaust valves. a rotative member, means for rotating said member, a series of cams on said member, said cams lying in two circular paths of travel, the cams in one path acting to operate the inlet valves. and the cams in the. other path act-- ing to operate the exhaust valves, the cams for operating the exhaust valves having a larger area of high part than the cams for operating the inlet valves, and each cam for o ierating the exhaust valves being arranged in radial alignment with a cam for ,operat ing the inlet valves, substantially as described.

2. In a. valve gearing, the combination of a plurality of'cylinders arranged in alineincnt, an inlet valve on each cylinder, an outlet valve on each cylinder, with the inlet valves of adjacent cylinders arranged 180 degrees apart and equidistant from a point intermediate said cylinders, the exhaust valves on adjacent cylinders being arranged 180 degrees apart and equidistant from said point interi'nediate said cylinders, with'said inlet valves arranged on one circle of travel and the exhaust valves on another circle of travel, and said exhaust valves being out of radial alinement with said inlet valves as respects said point intermediate the cylinders, a member mountedto rotate about a center located at said point intermediate the cylinders, a series of cams on said member, and said cams lying in two circular paths of travel, the cams in one path acting to operate the inlet valves, and the cams in the other path acting to operate the exhaust valves, a shaft arranged. above the cylinders and parallel to a line connecting the centers ot said cylinders, and a connection between said shaft and rotating member to rotate the latter. substantially as described.

3. In ayalvc gearing, the combination of a plurality of cylinders arranged in alinement, an inlet valve on each cylinder, an outlet valve on each cylinder, with the inlet valves of adjacent cylinders arranged 180 degrees apart and equidistant from a point intermediate said cylinders, the exhaust valves on adjacent cylinders being arranged 180' degrees apart and equidistant from said point the exhaust valves on another circle of travel, and said exhaust valves being out of radial alinement with said inlet valves as respects said point intermediate the cylinders, a member mounted to rotate about a center located at saidv point intermediate the cylinders,

a series of cams on said member, and said cams lying in two circular paths of travel, the cams in one path acting to operate the inlet valves, and the cams in the other path -acting to operate the exhaust valves, a

- 1 4. In a valve gearing, the combination of a'plurahty of cylinders arranged in alinement, an inlet valve on each cylinder, an outlet valve on each cylinder, the inlet valves of adjacent cylinders being arranged an equidistance from a point intermediate said cylinders, the outlet valves on adjacent cylinders being also arranged an equidistance from said point intermediate said cylinders, with said inlet valves arranged on one circle of travel and the exhaustl valves on another circle of travel, and said exhaust valves being out of radial alinement with said inlet valves as respects said point intermediate said cylinders. a member mounted to rotate about a center located at said pcint intermediate the cylinders, a series of cams on said member, said cams lying in two circular paths of travel. the cams in one path acting to operate the inlet valves, and the cams in the other-path acting to operate the exhaust valves, a shaft arranged above the cylinders and parallel to a line connecting the centers thereof, and a connection between said shaft and rotating member to rotate the latter, substantially as described.

5. In a valve gearing. the combination of a plurality of cylinders arranged in alinement, an inlet valve on each cylinder. an

- outlet valve on each cylinder, the inlet valves of adjacent cylinders beingarranged an equidistance from a point intermediate said cylinders. the outlet valves on adjacent cyliuders being also arranged an cquidistance from said point intermediate said cylinders,

with said inlet valves arranged on one circle of travel and the exhaust valvcspn another circle ofitravel. and said exhaust valves being out of radial alinement with said inlet valves as respects said point intermediate said cylinders, a member mounted to rotate about a center located at said point intermediate the cylinders, a series of cams on said member, said cams lying in two circular paths of travel, the cams in one path acting to operate the inlet valves, and the cams in the other path acting to operate the exhaust valves, a shaft ar'angcd above the cylinders and parallel to a line connect tate the latter. and the cams for actuating the exhaust valves having a larger area of high part than the cams for actuating the inlet valves, substantially as described.

(3. In a valve gearing. the combination of a plurality of cylinders arranged in ali ement, an inlet valve on each cylinder, an outlet valve on each cylinder, the inlet valves of adjacent cylinders being arranged an equidistance from a point intermediate said cylinders. theoutlet valves on adjacent cylinders being also arranged an equidistance from said point intermediate said cylinders, with said inlet valves arranged on one circle of travel and the exhaust valves on another circle of travel and' said exhaust valves being out of radial alinement with said inlet valves as respects said point intermediate said cylinders, a member mounted to rotate about a center located at said point intermediate the cylinders, a series of cams on said member. said cams lying in two circular paths of travel, the cams in one path acting to operate the inlet valves, and the cams in the other path acting to operate the exhaust valves. a shaft arranged above the cylinders and parallel to a line connecting the centers thereof. a connection between said shaft and rotating member to rotate the latter, each cam of the set of cams for o ierating the exhaust valves being in radial alinement with a cam of the set of cams for operating the inlet valves, substantially as described.

7. In a *alve gearing, the combination of a plurality of cylinders arranged in alinement, an inlet valve on each cylinder, an outlet valve on each cylinder, the inlet valves of adjacent cylinders being arranged an equidistance from a point intermeat said point intermediate the cylinders, a

series of cams on said member, said cams lying in two circular paths of travel, the cams in one path acting to operate the inlet valves. and the camsin the other path acting to operate the exhaust valves, a shaft arranged above the cylinders and parallel to a line connecting the centers thereof, a connection between said shaft and rotating member to rotate the latter, the cams for operating the exhaust valves having a larger area of high part than the cams for operating the inlet valves, and each cam of the set of cams for operating the exhaust valve being in radial alinement with a cam of the set'of cams for operating the inlet valves, substantially as described. I

8. In a valve gearing, the combination of a plurality of cylinders arranged in alinement, an inlet 211% on each cylinder, an outlet valve on each cylinder, the inlet valves of adjacent cylinders being arranged ail equidistance from a point intermediate said cylinders, the outlet valves on adjacent cylinders being also arranged an equidistance from said point intermediate said cylinders, with said inlet valves arranged on one clrcle of travel, the exhaust valves onanother circle of travel, and said exhaust valves being out of radial alinement with said inlet valves as respects said point intermediate said cylinders, a member mounted to rotate'about a center located at said point intermediate the cylinders, a series of cams on said member, said cams lying in two circular paths of travel, the cams in onepath acting to operate the inlet valves, and the cams in the other path acting to operate the exhaust valves, and means for rotating said member, substantially as described.

GEORGE W. RICHARDSON. GEORGE H. HIGGINS. 

